Fate or Chance?

The Three Witches

 

Fate or chance? Honestly, I believe in fate. I always have. However, I do not believe that a divine entity has decided everything for me in advance. I think there is a different fate for every decision I make. I still am responsible for my actions because I make them. Fate is a compilation of all my possible options and their implications. Chance, on the other hand, is given by fate. To me, these concepts are not different things. In fact, chance is part of the bigger concept of fate, in my opinion. 

I completely agree with the quote,"our actions make us who we are". In the case of Macbeth, Macbeth knew the rewards and the possible consequences which could arise due to his actions. He knew that he could be punished for the murder of King Duncan and treason. Macbeth was a loyal servant to King Duncan. He respected and was dedicated to the King, but the witches influenced Macbeth. Although the three witches presented a possible fate, Macbeth did not have to accept it. He could have ignored the supernatural and continued to live his life.

First Witch

All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis!

Second Witch

All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!

Third Witch

All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!

Act 1, Scene 3

Macbeth had a choice to ignore the prophecy and continue being the Thane of Cawdor and Glamis. I believe if you deserve something, then you will get it, no matter what happens, in the end. Similarly, if Macbeth was fated to be King, then he could have been King without the needless bloodshed. He tried to obtain his goal by wrongfully harming someone.

MACBETH

Your children shall be kings.

BANQUO

You shall be king.

MACBETH

And thane of Cawdor too: went it not so?

Act 1, Scene 3

Macbeth already seems to be swayed and drunk on power. King Duncan did not announce Macbeth's promotion yet, but Macbeth already seems to be excited. This shows Macbeth's motivation and the witches' prophecy is encouraging him. His obsession with power is also evident. 

MACBETH

[Aside] If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,
Without my stir.

Act 1, Scene 3

This line shows that Shakespeare does not believe in fate. He believes that in order to attain something, the individual has to work for it. Fate cannot simply hand rewards to people who do not show their worth. This is shown in the beginning of the play. Macbeth does not believe in fate nor in chance. He thinks the only way to make sure he gets the crown is by securing it. This is the reason why Macbeth begins to scheme with Lady Macbeth to kill the King. Macbeth lies in the line above, while mentioning chance because he already has a plan to execute the King.  

I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell.

Act 2, Scene 1

MACBETH

Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received,
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,
That they have done't?

Act 1, Scene 7

He premeditated the murder, while contemplating his fate. Dreams and thoughts cross Macbeth's mind while he thinks of harming King Duncan. Shakespeare's emphasis on the dagger in this line and Macbeth's soliloquy shows that Macbeth intends or at least anticipates the murder to occur. This provides evidence that Macbeth is choosing to murder the King, and that Macbeth's actions are not predetermined by fate.